# It's like having your own black man in the pool! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 13, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850 "2002-06-13T14:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/21 "2002-06-13T15:36:18Z")
**lobely** , failing to purchase something “punishes” no one. Nice try. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/22 "2002-06-13T15:38:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*I had never before considered the deep moral quandry faced by persons who struggle with pool maintenance. I am humbled. \*\* I shouldn’t expect it would take much. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/23 "2002-06-13T15:47:03Z")
A black pool man huh? Hmm I always thought those jobs went to out of work actors. Must have seen to many movies. Way to make a stand Scylla. Now go back and get your pool cleaner, comfortable in the knowledge that you taught the guy a lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/24 "2002-06-13T15:52:21Z")
It’s generally a basic rule that sales people should not offend potential customers. The sales guy offended Scylla, so he didn’t get the sale. It’s a learning opportunity - the salesman learns that comments like that can offend people (although how he didn’t know that already I don’t know, it may be the boonies, but surely people have access to the wider world through the TV and print media). ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/25 "2002-06-13T16:05:44Z")
Buy the $&%\*# robot. From someone else. It’s not the harware’s fault the salesman is a bigot. ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/26 "2002-06-13T16:07:01Z")
Well, **Scylla** , I think you did the right thing. You made **auntie em** _and_ me happy, and really that’s all that should matter in the world. [giggle] The fact of the matter is that salefolk represent the store. If someone said something offensive to me, then I’d have no compunction whatsoever about calling them on it, asking to see someone over their heads to let them know exactly how I feel about offensive remarks like the one that moron uttered, and then taking my business somewhere else. You didn’t hurt yourself. And you’ve taught a moron a lesson, or at least attempted to teach him one. I think that the salesjerk you encountered was already sending out warning signals by not giving you space when all you wanted to do was just look. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but you should have left after he kept on talking after you told him you were just looking. If he actually valued your business, then he would have kept his mouth shut after you indicated that you just wanted to look. :wally As far as getting your pool robot, if I understand this correctly, depending on the business, if you can provide proof that X product costs less at Y place, then competing businesses may be willing to sell it to you for that price. It doesn’t hurt to try. If you do go back to that store, ask to see the manager and tell the manager about the salesjerk you encountered. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/27 "2002-06-13T16:13:48Z")
But so much I had never, in my ignorance, considered! So many ethical balances to strike, when one is as burdened as yourself. A surly young chablis (albeit with impressive vintage), or that rather more democratic chardonnay? Volvo or Saab? Nike or Birkenstock? So many! Whereas I must merely ascertain whether the bus goes closer to K-Mart or Target. Is Coors reprehensible, or merely vile? Is it too late, I wonder, to add an additional chapter to _Profiles in Courage_? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/28 "2002-06-13T17:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > \*\ ***lobely** , failing to purchase something “punishes” no one. Nice try. :rolleyes: \*\* To all the people who think not buying something because the salesperson is racist is a good thing to do… Who cares if the salesman was racist!, that is his problem, the point is the OPer went away without a good pool cleaner! Think about it - once you leave the shop, the racist guy is out of your life - isn’t it better to have left the shop with the pool cleaner. Maybe It’s just my british put-up-with-it attitude but it just seems ott to let a salesperson’s anti-social problem deprive a customer of something they wanted. especially something as probably-expensive as a pool cleaner! ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/29 "2002-06-13T17:52:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Great!" he says, and picks it up to carry it to check out for me. “These things are great. It’s like having your own personal black man cleaning your pool.” You have to be fucking kidding. Tell me you’re kidding. Please. I would certainly not given any money to a store that employed an ignorant idiot like this, and I definately would say something to the owner/manager. What a complete jackass. In other news, I have a Hayward Waterbug for my above ground pool. It’s like having your own personal ladybug cleaning your pool for you! [http://poolandgarden.com/hayaqautpool.html](http://poolandgarden.com/hayaqautpool.html) It works great! Zette ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/30 "2002-06-13T17:57:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stuffy \* > **A black pool man huh? Hmm I always thought those jobs went to out of work actors.** Which explains why it’s a reccurring theme in pornos. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/31 "2002-06-13T18:24:29Z")
Scylla, I think you missed eludicadator’s point. See, now that you have a pool, which you obviously were able to afford only by trampling on the rights of the masses, you aren’t permitted to take offense at things. What you were supposed to do was share a hearty laugh with the salesman and remark, “Yes, those Negroids do excel at manual labor, don’t they?” and then buy the pool robot and slip the salesman a $20 for making your day a little brighter. Then, on your way home, kick a homeless person and bomb an abortion clinic. Because, you know, that’s what conservatives do. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/32 "2002-06-13T18:34:20Z")
Shh… **Mojo** Nobody was susposed…I mean I never watch those sorts of movies 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/33 "2002-06-13T18:43:56Z")
It is a terrible thing to see the needy go without! **Scylla** , m’lad, please donate half of your sense of humor to **Pldennisson**. Desperate needs like his should not be scorned. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/34 "2002-06-13T19:05:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*It is a terrible thing to see the needy go without! > > **Scylla** , m’lad, please donate half of your sense of humor to **Pldennisson**. Desperate needs like his should not be scorned. \*\* The sad truth is you’re not funny, or clever. You’re just nasty. I don’t like you. I don’t think you’re worth talking to, and I don’t appreciate your childish need to take the occasional thinly veiled potshot at me. Your last pit thread directed at me is not forgotten, nor are the subsequent little potshots you felt obligated to engage in. I personally appreciate PLD’s comment. ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/35 "2002-06-13T19:10:02Z")
**elucidator** , you seem to have some issues with **Scylla**. Rather than resolve them, you come here with snipes aplenty and snide remarks. I can only ask what purpose you feel it serves. Perhaps there is a better way to air your differences than tossing these platitudes around. Now it appears that you are having issues with **PL**. Spritle, not taking sides, just noting how foolish you are looking here. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/36 "2002-06-13T19:16:30Z")
**lobely** : > [@](#): > > Maybe It’s just my british put-up-with-it attitude but it just seems ott to let a salesperson’s anti-social problem deprive a customer of something they wanted. especially something as probably-expensive as a pool cleaner! Odd? Not a bit of it. **Tansu** said it quite well, I think. If I find myself offended by a shop employee, I won’t buy there. Simple enough–it’s voting with my pocketbook. Although I would suggest, **Scylla** , that you let the store owners/management know about your decision not to purchase from them. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/37 "2002-06-13T19:17:05Z")
Anyway, I went back to the store at lunch and bought it. The salesguy wasn’t there. The lady at the counter asked me if I had any questions and told me there was a fifty dollar rebate on it now on top of the sales price. I didn’t say anything about last night’s comment. Tonight I’ll put it in the pool and try to determine its ethnicity. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/38 "2002-06-13T19:23:23Z")
Well, if it’s lazy, you’ll know it’s mmmmmmmph ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/39 "2002-06-13T19:26:39Z")
Yeah, and if it takes a break/nap from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm you’ll know it’s… related to me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850/40 "2002-06-13T19:29:12Z")
I’m going to have to go back there from time to time. I think I’ll wait for the right opportunity to say something to the owner about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-like-having-your-own-black-man-in-the-pool/113850.md?page=3)